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''Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush'' is a book of short stories by
In 1921,
A contemporary book review from the Spectator
1894 short story collections Works by Scottish writers Kailyard school
''Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush'' is a book of short stories by Ian Maclaren
John Watson (3 November 1850 – 6 May 1907), was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He is remembered as an author of fiction, known by his pen name Ian Maclaren.
Life
The son of John Watson, a civil servant, he was born in Manningtre ...
published in 1894. It became a hugely popular bestseller. It is considered to be part of the Kailyard School of Scottish literature
Scottish literature is literature written in Scotland or by Scottish writers. It includes works in English, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Brythonic, French, Latin, Norn or other languages written within the modern boundaries of Scotland.
The earli ...
. A kailyard
The traditional kitchen garden, vegetable garden, also known as a potager (from the French ) or in Scotland a kailyaird, is a space separate from the rest of the residential garden – the ornamental plants and lawn areas. It is used for grow ...
or kailyaird ( kale) is comparable to a cabbage patch and refers to a kitchen garden as might be found adjacent to a cottage. The title, ''Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush'', references the Jacobite song " There grows a bonnie brier bush in our Kailyard". ''Publishers Weekly
''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...
'' reported it as the bestselling novel in the U.S. during 1895 and the 10th bestselling novel during 1896.
The stories in the book recount some of MacLaren's experiences as a Free Church
A free church is a Christian denomination that is intrinsically separate from government (as opposed to a state church). A free church does not define government policy, and a free church does not accept church theology or policy definitions fr ...
minister in rural Perthshire and blends humour and pathos with racy Scots dialogue.
Maclaren mentions the Drumtochty Forest in the book.
William Hole illustrated an 1896 Hodder & Stoughton edition of the book.
In the U.S., Clifton Johnson illustrated an edition of the book as well as MacLaren's ''The Days of Auld Lang Syne
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
''. He also illustrated works by Scottish author J. M. Barrie
Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, (; 9 May 1860 19 June 1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several succ ...
.
Legacy
Charles H. Gabriel Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (August 18, 1856 – September 14, 1932) was a writer of gospel songs and composer of gospel tunes. He is said to have written and/or composed between 7,000 and 8,000 songs, many of which are available in 21st century hym ...
wrote the music and produced songsheets for the song and dedicated it to Mclaren.
A series of theatrical performances were based on the bestselling book. One involved Kirke La Shelle
Kirke La Shelle (September 23, 1862 – May 16, 1905) was an American journalist, playwright and theatrical producer. He was known for his association with such successful productions as ''The Wizard of the Nile'', ''The Princess Chic'', ''Besid ...
in 1901. A 1903 play based on the book was Mabel Brownell
Mabel Brownell (December 19, 1883 — January 23, 1972) was an American stage actress and director, active on Broadway in the 1920s.
Early life
Mabel Brownell was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1883 (one source gives 1888). She graduated from Hughes ...
's debut. A 1905 play included Lettice Fairfax
Lettice Fairfax (March 26, 1876 – December 25, 1948) was an English stage and silent film actress. She is known for her roles in the Edwardian musical comedy '' An Artist's Model'' (1895) and in silent cinema such as '' Brother Officers'' as ...
.
In 1921, Donald Crisp
Donald William Crisp (27 July 188225 May 1974) was an English film actor as well as an early producer, director and screenwriter. His career lasted from the early silent film era into the 1960s. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor ...
directed ''The Bonnie Brier Bush
''The Bonnie Brier Bush'' is a 1921 British drama film directed by Donald Crisp. Alfred Hitchcock is credited as a title designer. The film is considered to be lost.
Plot
As described in a film magazine, dour Scottish shepherd Lachlan Campbell ...
'', a movie adaptation of the book set in Scotland. It is considered lost.
See also
*Publishers Weekly list of bestselling novels in the United States in the 1890s
This is a list of bestselling novels in the United States from 1895 through 1899, as determined by '' The Bookman'', a New York–based literary journal. Without the international copyright law which came into force in 1891, these volumes could ha ...
References
{{ReflistExternal links
A contemporary book review from the Spectator
1894 short story collections Works by Scottish writers Kailyard school